Magnum Photos was founded in Paris in 1947 as an artists’ co-operative by four pioneering photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, David “Chim” Seymour, and George Rodger. The legendary photo agency continues to shape photographic practice and maintains its original values of uncompromising excellence, truth, respect and independence, representing an idiosyncratic mix of journalism, art and storytelling.

Magnum photographers share a vision to chronicle world events, people, places and culture with a powerful narrative that defies convention, shatters the status quo, redefines history and transforms lives: “Chim picked up his camera the way a doctor takes his stethoscope out of his bag, applying his diagnosis to the condition of the heart.” —Henri Cartier-Bresson.

During the sale, and for five days only, over 60 archival quality prints, signed by the photographers are available for just $100. Among the prints there are examples of classic and contemporary photography that include more than 60 images of photographers such as Alessandra Sanguinetti, Werner Bischof , Alex Webb, Steve McCurry, David Alan Harvey, Matt Black, Inge Morath, Alec Soth, Moises Saman, Jim Goldberg and many others.

The connection between photographer and subject is a vital element in the power of an individual photograph. In turn, the image has the power to inspire, inform and communicate human engagement. “We are only trying to tell a story. Let the 17th-century painters worry about the effects. We’ve got to tell it now, let the news in, show the hungry face, the broken land, anything so that those who are comfortable may be moved a little.”—David ‘Chim’ Seymour.

For this Square Print Project, Magnum photographers respond to the theme ‘Conditions of the Heart’ with an image and text that speaks to this human connection, to create a collective body of work featuring classic and contemporary imagery. Their powerful visual authorship defines Magnum and its continued engagement with the stories that matter. Shedding light on our collective humanity, these images and text demonstrate why photography remains so important today.